Abstract: The records consist of administrative records, project field materials, project reports, and conference-, publication-, and
exhibition-related materials all concerning the Getty Conservation Institute's field project for the conservation of the bas-reliefs
of the Royal Palaces of Abomey in the Republic of Benin, West Africa. Project records date from 1994 to 2000 and supplemental
reference materials date from 1845 to the 1990s.

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Language: Collection material is in The records are in English and French, with a small amount of Spanish, Italian, and German materials.

Getty Conservation Institute Field Projects Background Note

The Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) works to advance conservation practice in the visual arts, broadly interpreted to include
objects, collections, architecture, and sites. It serves the conservation community through scientific research, education
and training, model field projects, and the broad dissemination of the results of both its own work and the work of others
in the field. In all its endeavors, the GCI focuses on the creation and dissemination of knowledge that will benefit the professionals
and organizations responsible for the conservation of the world's cultural heritage. The work of the Institute is carried
out in four main areas: education, field projects, science, and communications.

The Getty Conservation Institute aims to advance conservation practice worldwide through the development and implementation
of model field projects which incorporate strong research, planning and educational objectives. In all projects, the GCI works
with local partners so as to build local expertise and ensure sustainability. The GCI broadly disseminates information resulting
from its project work through training and publications. All projects follow recognized international principles of conservation
and adhere to the highest standards of practice. These include an understanding of the cultural significance of the object
or site, respect for the multiplicity of values associated with it, thorough documentation and diagnostic research, and intervention
which is minimal, compatible, and appropriate to local circumstances.

The Getty Conservation Institute is overseen by the J. Paul Getty Trust, a not-for-profit educational organization. The GCI
is housed at the Getty Center in Los Angeles, along with the other programs of the Getty Trust. Its facility at the Center
includes scientific laboratories, programmatic and administrative offices, and a conservation information center. In addition,
the GCI maintains a laboratory at the Getty Villa, also in the Los Angeles area.

In the mid-1990s, the Getty Conservation Institute and the West African Republic of Benin's Department of Cultural Patrimony
worked together to conserve fifty severely damaged bas-relief panels that once adorned the Salle des Bijoux (Hall of Jewels)
in the Historic Museum at the Royal Palaces of Abomey, a World Heritage Site. Abomey was the cultural hub of the Kingdom of
Dahomey from 1695-1900. The bas-reliefs are thought to be the oldest surviving elements of the Royal Palaces, a group of earthen
structures built by the Fon people between the mid-17th and late-19th centuries.

This conservation project systematically documented and preserved the polychrome earthen panels, each of which is about three
feet square, weighs approximately 500 pounds, and depicts battle scenes and allegorical symbols of the power of the kings
of Dahomey. The project also provided local Benin staff with training in conservation, photo documentation, and long-term
care of the bas-reliefs.

With the exception of materials that have been marked restricted or confidential, the records described in accession 2013.IA.28
are available for use by qualified researchers. Project administration records (Series V) are closed.

Original recordings are restricted. Use copies do not exist for all audio or video recordings in this collection. The production
of use copies is required before access can be granted and may add a delay to research requests. Advanced notice is required
for the production of use copies.

The following types of records are permanently closed: records containing personal information, records that compromise security
or operations, legal communications, legal work product, and records related to donors. The J. Paul Getty Trust reserves the
right to restrict access to any records held by the Institutional Archives.

[Cite the item and series (as appropriate)], Royal Bas-Reliefs of Abomey Conservation Project Records, 1845-2000 and undated
(bulk 1994-1997), The Getty Conservation Institute. The Getty Research Institute (IA50001).

Acquisition Information

The records described in this finding aid originated in accession number 2013.IA.28 and were transferred by the Getty Conservation
Institute in July 2013.

Processing Information note

The materials were organized and the finding aid was created by Lauren Jung and Cameron Trowbridge in 2013. Cyndi Shein revised
the finding aid and prepared it for publication.

Related Materials

The following materials are offered as possible sources of further information on the people and subjects covered by the records.
The listing is not exhaustive.

Approximately 8,000 slides documenting the conservation of the bas-reliefs of the Royal Palaces at Abomey are available and
accessible through the Getty Conservation Institute Information Center.

The Royal Bas-Reliefs of Abomey Conservation Project records, dating 1993-2000 and undated (bulk 1994-1997), comprise materials
used and created by the Getty Conservation Institute for the field project concerning the conservation of the bas-reliefs
of the Royal Palaces of Abomey in the Republic of Benin, West Africa. Also included are reference materials dating from 1845
to the 1990s. The records consist of project administrative records (background reference material regarding Benin, correspondence,
project agreements, budgets, project outlines and timelines, and meeting notes), field project materials (in-field conservation
documentation, off-prints and references, and training materials), field reports, audio-visual recordings, and images. The
materials document the development, operation, progress, and results of the Abomey conservation field project, the corresponding
international conference on the Royal Palaces of Abomey, the Getty Conservation Institute print and video publications about
the field project, and two related museum exhibitions.

Arrangement note

The collection is arranged in the following series:

Series I. Core project files, 1845-1998 and undated (bulk 1994-1997);

Series II. Project dissemination and promotion, 1993-1999 and undated;

Series III. Exhibitions, 1994-1995, 1997, 1999-2000 and undated;

Series IV.
History Told on Walls video production records, 1994-1997 and undated;